Recent reports suggest PayPal has initiated integrating iPhone 5S fingerprint scanning technology into its mobile payment apps just days after a Touch ID API was announced by Apple during its WWDC keynote held earlier this week on Monday.
According to Business Insider, a team of PayPal developers on Thursday attended a session on Touch ID, the iPhone maker’s alleged fingerprint-scanning system, at the Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, to gain more insight on the new API, which was recently opened to third-party use.
PayPal’s senior director of global initiatives, Anuj Nyar in an email, confirmed the news that the company developers had attended the session.
“It seems to be a fairly easy API to use, but we’re still kicking the tires,” a PayPal source said.
Until now, the iPhone Touch ID fingerprint scanner has only been available for use either to unlock the phone or authorize iTunes Store purchases. However, with iOS 8 official release this fall, the scenario would change when developers would enable users to authorize their e-commerce transactions with a fingerprint scan instead of a typed password.
Apple is also rumoured to be developing its own Touch ID integrated mobile payment service. However, the service might take a couple of years more to get rolled out. Reportedly, the iPad maker is also in talks with PayPal about a possible mobile payment system partnership.
